SSC ASO Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025: Notification and 341 Vacancies
Staff Selection Commission — Department of Personnel and Training / Ministry of External Affairs
📅 Important Dates
| Application Start | 25 Jun 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Date to Apply | 16 Jul 2026 |
| Exam Date | 01 Aug 2026 |
📋 Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 341 |
| Qualification | 6 years approved service in feeder grade (UDC/UD Grade) |
| Salary | Pay Level-7 (Rs. 44,900 - Rs. 1,42,400) |
| Selection Process | Computer Based Examination (300 Marks) followed by APAR Evaluation (100 Marks) |
📝 Detailed Notification Information
Overview of SSC Assistant Section Officer Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2025
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notification for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) and Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), 2025. This recruitment is exclusively for eligible in-service government employees aiming for promotion to the Group B Non-Gazetted post at Pay Level-7.
Vacancy Breakdown
| Service / Cadre | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Central Secretariat Service (CSS), DoPT | 318 |
| Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) | 23 |
| Total | 341 |
Eligibility and Service Conditions
Candidates must ensure they meet the criteria as of 01 July 2025. This exam is not open to the general public.
- CSS (DoPT): Officers in the Upper Division Grade of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service with at least six years of approved service.
- MEA (Cadre Cell): Officers in the Upper Division Clerk Grade with at least six years of approved service and completion of mandatory training programmes.
Examination Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 2026-06-25 |
| Online Application Last Date | 2026-07-16 |
| Hard Copy Receipt (General) | 2026-07-23 |
| Hard Copy Receipt (Remote Areas) | 2026-07-30 |
| Computer Based Examination (Tentative) | 2026-08-01 |
Steps to Apply
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on the official SSC website (ssc.gov.in). Note that previous registrations from the old portal are not valid.
- Log in and select the 'Assistant Section Officer / Assistant Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2025' link.
- Fill in the required departmental service details.
- Capture a live photograph and upload the required scanned signature and service documents.
- Submit the application online and print a copy.
- Important: The printed application must be forwarded through your respective Head of Department or Head of Office to SSC Northern Region by the specified deadline. Failure to follow the departmental forwarding process will lead to rejection.
Exam Pattern
The selection is based on two parts:
- Part-I: Computer Based Examination (CBE) consisting of two papers, each of 150 marks. Total duration is 3 hours per paper.
- Part-II: Evaluation of Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) for 100 marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can candidates who registered on the old SSC website apply directly?
- No, all candidates must create a fresh One-Time Registration (OTR) on the updated ssc.gov.in portal.
- Is this exam open to the public?
- No, this is a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination reserved specifically for serving government officials in specified feeder cadres.
- What happens if the hard copy is not forwarded by the department?
- Online submission is insufficient. Applications not forwarded by the Head of Department/Head of Office will be summarily rejected.
📝 How to Apply
📚 Preparation Strategy for Staff Selection Commission
Securing a government position under Staff Selection Commission requires a disciplined and strategic approach. Candidates with 6 years approved service in feeder grade (UDC/UD Grade) qualifications should focus on the following:
- Analyze Syllabus & Pattern: Thoroughly review the official Staff Selection Commission exam syllabus. Understand the marking scheme, sectional cutoffs, and whether negative marking applies.
- Practice Previous Papers: Solving past Staff Selection Commission exam papers and taking timed mock tests is the most effective way to improve speed and accuracy.
- Time Management: Dedicate fixed study hours for quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, general awareness, and language tests based on the weightage of marks in the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade examination.
⚠️ Safe Application Checklist
To avoid fraud and secure your candidature for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade position, always complete the following checks before submitting your application:
- Verify Official Domains: Ensure you apply only on official government portals. Check that the website URL ends in
.gov.in,.nic.in, or.ac.in. - Read PDF Notification: Always download and thoroughly read the official Staff Selection Commission notification PDF to check specific eligibility details, reservations, and document formats.
- Beware of Agents: Government recruitments by Staff Selection Commission are strictly based on merit. Never pay money to unauthorized agents promising guaranteed jobs.
How can I confirm if this Staff Selection Commission job posting is genuine?
Every job notification listed on ApplySarkariJob.com is cross-verified with official government gazettes, department portals, and national employment newspapers. We provide direct links to the official Staff Selection Commission website and the original notification PDF in the "Source/Official Links" section above. Candidates are strongly advised to verify all information on the official portal before applying for the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) / Assistant Grade post.
What should I do if the official application link or PDF does not open?
Staff Selection Commission portals often experience extremely high traffic when notifications are released or close to the deadline, causing official servers to slow down or crash. If a link or official PDF is unresponsive, please try accessing it during off-peak hours (early morning or late night) or check your internet connection.
Does ApplySarkariJob charge any fees for recruitment updates or alerts?
No. ApplySarkariJob.com is a 100% free informational portal. We never charge job seekers for notifications, study materials, or push alerts. If you receive any calls, emails, or messages requesting payment under our name, please ignore them as they are fraudulent.
What qualifications do I need for this Staff Selection Commission recruitment?
The educational qualification required for this recruitment is: 6 years approved service in feeder grade (UDC/UD Grade). Please always refer to the official notification PDF linked in the "Source/Official Links" section above for the most accurate and complete eligibility criteria, including age limits, experience requirements, and category-specific relaxations.
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🔗 Source/Official Links
A former Defence aspirant turned career advisor, Amit Singh Chauhan brings deep insider knowledge of Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Railway recruitment processes. He has been guiding candidates for over 10 years.